blood in stool

Ahoy, JulieC -

That's really a question better asked of your doctor, but, based on your family history and current symptoms, it's a good idea to get the scope. A number of things can present symptoms like you are describing from Chron's Disease to drinking one of emily's blueberry smoothies.

You are doing the right thing - and please please please make certain that they give you a colonoscopy and NOT a flex-sig. The flex sig doesn't go all the way around your colon and, as you can read in some of the other threads, they can miss some significant issues.

Remember this - the prep is the worst part of the colonoscopy - the stuff tastes nasty no matter how you try to disguise it. Most of us that use the Fleet's Phosphosoda usually try to mix it with REALLY REALLY cold flat gingerale. The cold tends to numbe the taste buds and the sweet syrup tends to help (a little bit) with the salt taste.

All of us have been in your shoes - AKA the waiting room. What we will all tell you is not to fret. That won't help anything (easy for us to say, right?). You're on the right track right now and we'll all be here to either celebrate a "good" test or to help you sharpen your sword to fight the dragon we've all fought - or in some cases are still fighting.

Best regards

- SpongeBob

spongebob said:

Ahoy, JulieC -

That's really a question better asked of your doctor, but, based on your family history and current symptoms, it's a good idea to get the scope. A number of things can present symptoms like you are describing from Chron's Disease to drinking one of emily's blueberry smoothies.

You are doing the right thing - and please please please make certain that they give you a colonoscopy and NOT a flex-sig. The flex sig doesn't go all the way around your colon and, as you can read in some of the other threads, they can miss some significant issues.

Remember this - the prep is the worst part of the colonoscopy - the stuff tastes nasty no matter how you try to disguise it. Most of us that use the Fleet's Phosphosoda usually try to mix it with REALLY REALLY cold flat gingerale. The cold tends to numbe the taste buds and the sweet syrup tends to help (a little bit) with the salt taste.

All of us have been in your shoes - AKA the waiting room. What we will all tell you is not to fret. That won't help anything (easy for us to say, right?). You're on the right track right now and we'll all be here to either celebrate a "good" test or to help you sharpen your sword to fight the dragon we've all fought - or in some cases are still fighting.

Best regards

- SpongeBob

(Oh you hush SB my smoothies do not create smashed poop--only blue poop) heehee

Julie,

So glad you are checking this out. The sad thing is that this test should have done before since you are a relative of colon cancer survivor. My sister died of it and NO ONE ever told us to get tested. Go figure. So now I tell anyone who will listen--GET TESTED! (sorry to shout in your ear)

There is now an alternative to the Phospho Soda---it comes in pill form. Ask your doc for it. It will be my next colonoscopy clean out regimen. My last trip to Mayo(week ago thursday) I scheduled my next scope and was ofered this pill and jumped at the chance. so I can't tell you how it works but just that it exists!

Please keep us posted as to your test results. the colonscopy should NOT hurt so if it is hurting you by all means communicate that and they should give you a relaxer (excellent drugs...makes me a happy camper even with some guy putting a tube up my hinder).

peace, emily the smoothie maker

spongebob said:

Pattie -

You are a regular Xenia, Warrior Princess!

Very hard not to be worried till they get some results jules but hang in there--we will all be here to help no matter what.

Hey guys---don't you get pretty well sedated in the states for a colonoscopy?Here in AUS they almost knock you right out!They say we are still able to communicate--but are never able to remember the procedure!--well, at least I have never remembered a thing after the test.
cheers kanga and Jen

spongebob said:

Kanga -

Sedated for a colonoscopy?! You guys must be whimps down under. Here we take it like a man (or woman as the case may be). They offer us a bullet to bite if we want, but I usually just tell them what they can do with their sissy bullet (an act similar to a colonoscopy, just with a bullet)...

OK... seriously... some of the girls get sedated, but not me!

OK... I lied... !@#$ right I get 'em to knock me out!

- SB

They ought to give us a "roo tail" to bite on SB--lol---"ouch"

Hey Jules---on a more serious note I had similar stool changes that you mention---"thin and smashing looking".
This was caused by the tumour partially "blocking" my colon.Now don't get too concerned yet!This can be a cause but does not necessarilly mean that it could be cancer!It may just be a polyp---many people suffer them with no malignancy found.
cheers kanga n Jen